

Herculean effort: Nanaimo Mounties, bystanders lift car off woman

Police and a group of bystanders lifted a car off a woman in the area of Rutherford and Nelson on June 9.Google

NANAIMO — Like a scene from a strongman competition, Nanaimo RCMP officers and a group of onlookers lifted a full-sized car off a woman trapped underneath.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Gary O'Brien said the 72-year-old woman's life was likely saved by the effort after a "bizarre incident" left her pinned under the car around 1 p.m. on June 9. He said the vehicle was pulling out of the plaza at the top of Rutherford hill and drove over the woman, who was sitting on the side of the road beside her bike.

Luckily two officers were driving by moments later and several panic-stricken people flagged them down.

"Her airway was completely restricted and she was in a critical position. The bystanders, along with the police officers, lifted the car off onto its side and one of the other onlookers pulled the woman out. She was absolutely unresponsive and then after about 30 seconds she regained consciousness and they got a pulse."

Despite suffering some severe injuries the woman was released from hospital the following day.

O'Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW it appears the 32-year-old man driving the car simply didn't see the woman, although the incident is still under investigation. He said based on witness statements and what they know so far, no charges will be recommended.

"I've seen nothing like this in Nanaimo," O'Brien said, adding one of the officers involved just transferred to the city and it was his first day on the job.